Italy’s World Cup Defense Is Over

In a frantic finish, Slovakia — playing in its first World Cup as an independent nation — eliminated defending-champion Italy from the tournament today by a 3–2 score. Robert Vittek's second goal of the match gave Slovakia a 2–0 lead in the 73rd minute, and despite a late push by the Azzurri, they'd hold on to finish second in Group F and advance to the Round of 16. Paraguay won the group with five points thanks to a scoreless draw with New Zealand.